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WO1998053035A1 - Compositions adoucissantes claires ou translucides pour tissus, contenant un melange de solvants - Google Patents

Compositions adoucissantes claires ou translucides pour tissus, contenant un melange de solvants Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998053035A1
WO1998053035A1 PCT/US1998/010167 US9810167W WO9853035A1 WO 1998053035 A1 WO1998053035 A1 WO 1998053035A1 US 9810167 W US9810167 W US 9810167W WO 9853035 A1 WO9853035 A1 WO 9853035A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
softener
group
compositions
composition
solvents
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/010167
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Helen Bernardo Tordil
Errol Hoffman Wahl
Toan Trinh
Mitsuyo Okamoto
Dean Larry Duval
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority to AU75781/98A priority Critical patent/AU7578198A/en
Publication of WO1998053035A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998053035A1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
    • C11D3/0084—Antioxidants; Free-radical scavengers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
    • C11D1/62—Quaternary ammonium compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
    • C11D3/001—Softening compositions
    • C11D3/0015—Softening compositions liquid
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
    • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
    • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
    • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
    • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
    • C11D3/2048—Dihydric alcohols branched
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
    • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
    • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
    • C11D3/2051—Dihydric alcohols cyclic; polycyclic

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to specific clear or translucent fabric softener compositions. Specifically, clear, or translucent liquid compositions are prepared with specific principal solvents.
  • the clear, or translucent liquid fabric softener compositions herein comprise: A. from about 2% to about 80%, preferably from about 13% to about 75%, more preferably from about 17% to about 70%, and even more preferably from about 19% to about 65%, by weight of the composition, of biodegradable fabric softener active selected from the group consisting of: 1. softener having the formula:
  • each R substituent is H or a short chain Cj-Cg, preferably C1-C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, e.g., methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, and the like, benzyl, or mixtures thereof; each m is 2 or 3; each n is from 1 to about 4, preferably 2; each Y is -O-(O)C-, -(R)N-(O)C-, -C(O)-N(R)-, or -C(O)-O-, preferably -O-(O)C-; the sum of carbons in each R% plus one when Y is -O-(O)C- or -(R)N-(O)C- (hereinafter, R 1 and YR 1 , the "YR 1 sum" are used interchangeably to represent the hydrophobic chain, the R* chain lengths in general being even numbered for fatty alcohols and amines
  • C(O)R is derived from unsaturated, e.g., oleic, fatty acid and, preferably, each R is a methyl or ethyl group and preferably each R 1 is in the range of C ⁇ to Cj9 with degrees of branching and substitution optionally being present in the alkyl chains);
  • Principal solvent typically less than about 40%, preferably from about 5% to about 35%, more preferably from about 10% to about 25%, and even more preferably from about 12% to about 18%, by weight of the composition, said principal solvent comprising 2-ethyl-l,3-hexanediol and 1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethanol in ratios of from about 10:1 to about 1 :2, preferably from about 8:1 to about 1 :1, more preferably from about 6: 1 to about 2:1.
  • the clear compositions can optionally, but preferably, contain: (1) optionally, an effective amount, sufficient to improve clarity, of low molecular weight water soluble solvents like ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, propylene carbonate, etc., said water soluble solvents being at a level that will not form clear compositions by themselves;
  • the balance of the composition is typically water.
  • the compositions herein are aqueous, translucent or clear, preferably clear, compositions containing from about 3% to about 95%, preferably from about 10% to about 80%, more preferably from about 30% to about 70%, and even more preferably from about 40% to about 60%, water and from about 5% to about 40%), preferably from about 7% to about 35%, more preferably from about 10%) to about 25%), and even more preferably from about 12% to about 18%, of the above principal alcohol solvent B.
  • These products (compositions) are not translucent or clear without principal solvent B.
  • the amount of principal solvent B. required to make the compositions translucent or clear is preferably more than 50%, more preferably more than about 60%), and even more preferably more than about 75%, of the total organic solvent present.
  • the principal solvents are desirably kept to the lowest levels that provide acceptable stability/clarity in the present compositions.
  • the presence of water exerts an important effect on the need for the principal solvents to achieve clarity of these compositions.
  • the softener active-to- principal solvent weight ratio is preferably from about 55:45 to about 85:15, more preferably from about 60:40 to about 80:20.
  • the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is preferably from about 45:55 to about 70:30, more preferably from about 55:45 to about 70:30. But at high water levels of from about 70% to about 80%>, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is preferably from about 30:70 to about 55:45, more preferably from about 35:65 to about 45:55. At higher water levels, the softener to principal solvent ratios should be even higher.
  • the pH of the compositions should be from about 1 to about 5, preferably from about 2 to about 4, more preferably from about 3 to about 4.
  • the first type of DEQA preferably comprises, as the principal active, compounds of the formula
  • each R substituent is either hydrogen, a short chain Cj-Cg, preferably C ⁇ - C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, e.g., methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxy ethyl, and the like, poly (C2-3alkoxy) preferably polyethoxy group, benzyl, or mixtures thereof; each m is 2 or 3; each n is from 1 to about 4, preferably 2; each Y is -O-(O)C-, -C(O)-O-, -NR-C(O)-, or -C(O)-NR-; the sum of carbons in each R 1 , plus one when Y is -O-(O)C- or -NR-C(O) -, is C12-C22, preferably C 14 - C20' ith eac h R ⁇ being a hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl group, and X " can be any soften
  • a second type of DEQA active has the general formula:
  • each R is a methyl or ethyl group and preferably each R 1 is in the range of Ci
  • each R is a methyl or ethyl group and preferably each R 1 is in the range of Ci
  • the diester when specified, it can include the monoester that is present. The amount of monoester that can be present is the same as in DEQA (1).
  • An example of a preferred DEQA of formula (2) is the "propyl" ester quaternary ammonium fabric softener active having the formula 1,2- di(acyloxy)-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride, where the acyl is the same as that of FA 5 .
  • Some preferred clear fabric softening compositions of the present invention contain as an essential component from about 2% to about 75%, preferably from about 8%o to about 70%>, more preferably from about 13%) to about 65%, and even more preferably from about 18%> to about 40% by weight of the composition, of softener active having the formula:
  • each R ⁇ in a compound is a Cg-C22 hydrocarbyl group, preferably having an IV from about 70 to about 140 based upon the IV of the equivalent fatty acid with the cis/trans ratio preferably being as described hereinafter, m is a number from 1 to 3 on the weight average in any mixture of compounds, each R in a compound is a C1-.3 alkyl or hydroxy alkyl group, the total of n and the number of R groups that are hydroxy ethyl groups equaling 3, and X is a softener compatible anion, preferably methyl sulfate.
  • the cis:trans isomer ratio of the fatty acid (of the C18:l component) is at least about 1 :1, preferably about 2:1, more preferably 3:1, and even more preferably about 4:1, or higher.
  • These preferred compounds, or mixtures of compounds have (a) either a Hunter "L" transmission of at least about 85, typically from about 85 to about 95, preferably from about 90 to about 95, more preferably above about 95, if possible, (b) only low, relatively non-dectectable levels, at the conditions of use, of odorous compounds selected from the group consisting of: isopropyl acetate; 2,2'- ethylidenebis(oxy)bispropane; 1,3,5-trioxane; and/or short chain fatty acid (4-12, especially 6-10, carbon atoms) esters, especially methyl esters; or (c) preferably, both.
  • odorous compounds selected from the group consisting of: isopropyl acetate; 2,2'- ethylidenebis(oxy)bispropane; 1,3,5-trioxane; and/or short chain fatty acid (4-12, especially 6-10, carbon atoms) esters, especially methyl esters; or (c) preferably
  • the Hunter L transmission is measured by (1) mixing the softener active with solvent at a level of about 10% of active, to assure clarity, the preferred solvent being ethoxylated (one mole EO) 2,2,4-trimethyl-l,3-pentanediol and (2) measuring the L color value against distilled water with a Hunter ColorQUEST® colorimeter made by Hunter Associates Laboratory, Reston, Virginia.
  • the level of odorant is defined by measuring the level of odorant in a headspace over a sample of the softener active (about 92%> active). Chromatograms are generated using about 200 mL of head space sample over about 2.0 grams of sample. The head space sample is trapped on to a solid absorbent and thermally desorbed onto a column directly via cryofocussing at about -100°C. The identifications of materials is based on the peaks in the chromatograms. Some impurities identified are related to the solvent used in the quaternization process,
  • the ethoxy and methoxy ethers are typically sweet in odor.
  • the level of each odorant found in a typical commercial sample is as follows:
  • the acceptable level of each odorant is as follows: isopropyl acetate should be less than about 5, preferably less than about 3, and more preferably less than about 2, nanograms per liter ( ⁇ g/L.); 2,2'-ethylidenebis(oxy)bispropane should be less than about 200, preferably less than about 100, more preferably less than about 10, and even more preferably less than about 5, nanograms per liter ( ⁇ g/L.); 1,3,5- trioxane should be less than about 50, preferably less than about 20, more preferably less than about 10, and even more preferably less than about 7, nanograms per liter ( ⁇ g/L.); and/or each short chain fatty acid (4-12, especially 6-10, carbon atoms) ester, especially methyl esters should be less than about 4, preferably less than about 3, and more preferably less than about 2, nanograms per liter ( ⁇ g/L.).
  • the elimination of color and odor materials can either be accomplished after formation of the compound, or, preferably, by selection of the reactants and the reaction conditions.
  • the reactants are selected to have good odor and color.
  • the reactants can be cleaned up prior to use.
  • the fatty acid reactant can be double or triple distilled to remove color and odor causing bodies and remove short chain fatty acids.
  • the color of the triethanolamine reactant needs to be controlled to a low color level (e.g.
  • a color reading of about 20 or less on the APHA scale The degree of clean up required is dependent on the level of use and the presence of other ingredients. For example, adding a dye can cover up some colors. However, for clear and/or light colored products, the color must be almost non- detectable. This is especially true for higher levels of active, e.g., from about 8% to about 75%), preferably from about 13% to about 60%>, more preferably from about 18%> to about 40%), of the softener active by weight of the composition. Similarly, the odor can be covered up by higher levels of perfume, but at the higher levels of softener active there is a relatively high cost associated with such an approach, especially in terms of having to compromise the odor quality. Odor quality can be further improved by use of ethanol as the quaternization reaction solvent.
  • Preferred biodegradable fabric softener compounds comprise quaternary ammonium salt, the quatemized ammonium salt being a quatemized product of condensation between: a)-a fraction of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty acids, or of derivatives of said acids, said fatty acids or derivatives each possessing a hydrocarbon chain in which the number of atoms is between 5 and 21, and b)-triethanolamine, characterized in that said condensation product has an acid value, measured by titration of the condensation product with a standard KOH solution against a phenolphthalein indicator, of less than about 6.5.
  • the acid value is preferably less than or equal to about 5, more preferably less than about 3. Indeed, the lower the AV, the better softness softness performance is obtained.
  • the acid value is determined by titration of the condensation product with a standard KOH solution against a phenolphthalein indicator according to ISO#53402.
  • the AV is expressed as mg KOH g of the condensation product.
  • the reactants are present in a molar ratio of fatty acid fraction to triethanolamine of from about 1 : 1 to about 2.5:1. It has also been found that the optimum softness performance is also affected by the detergent carry-over laundry conditions, and more especially by the presence of the anionic surfactant in the solution in which the softening composition is used. Indeed, the presence of anionic surfactant that is usually carried over from the wash will interact with the softener compound, thereby reducing its performance. Thus, depending on usage conditions, the mole ratio of fatty acid/ triethanolamine can be critical.
  • a high amount of anionic surfactant will be carried over in the rinse cycle containing the softening compound.
  • a fatty acid fraction/triethanolamine mole ratio of about 1.4:1 to about 1.8:1 is preferred.
  • high amount of anionic surfactant it is meant that the presence of anionic in the rinse cycle at a level such that the molar ratio anionic surfactant/cationic softener compound of the invention is at least about 1/10.
  • a method of treating fabrics which comprises the step of contacting the fabrics in an aqueous medium containing the softener compound of the invention or softening composition thereof wherein the fatty acid /triethanolamine mole ratio in the softener compound is from about 1.4:1 to about 1.8:1, preferably about 1.5:1 and the aqueous medium comprises a molar ratio of anionic surfactant to said softener compound of the invention of at least about 1 :10.
  • a method of treating fabrics which comprises the step of contacting the fabrics in an aqueous medium containing the softener compound of the invention or softening composition thereof wherein the fatty acid/triethanolamine mole ratio in the softener compound is from about 1.8:1 to about 2:1, preferably about 2.0:1 and the aqueous medium comprises a molar ratio of anionic surfactant to said softener compound of the invention of less than about 1:10.
  • the fatty acid fraction and the triethanolamine are present in a molar ratio of from about 1 : 1 to about 2.5:1.
  • Preferred cationic, preferably biodegradable quaternary, ammonium fabric softening compounds can contain the group -(0)CR1 which is derived from animal fats, unsaturated, and polyunsaturated, fatty acids, e.g., oleic acid, and/or partially hydrogenated fatty acids, derived from vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as, canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, com oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, etc.
  • fatty acids (FA) have the following approximate distributions:
  • TPU is the percentage of polyunsaturates present.
  • FA's that can be blended, to form FA's of this invention are as follows:
  • FA6 is prepared from a soy bean fatty acid
  • FA' is prepared from a slightly hydrogenated tallow fatty acid.
  • the more preferred essential softener actives containing an effective amount of molecules containing two ester linked hydrophobic groups [RlC(CO)O-], said actives being referred to hereinafter as "DEQA's”, are those that are prepared as a single DEQA from blends of all the different fatty acids that are represented (total fatty acid blend), rather than from blends of mixtures of separate finished DEQA's that are prepared from different portions of the total fatty acid blend.
  • the fatty acyl groups are unsaturated, e.g., from about 50%> to 100%>, preferably from about 55%> to about 95%), more preferably from about 60% to about 90%, and that the total level of active containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups (TPU) be preferably from about 3% to about 30%>.
  • the cis/trans ratio for the unsaturated fatty acyl groups is usually important, with the cis/trans ratio being from about 1 :1 to about about 50:1, the minimum being about 1 :1, preferably at least about 3:1, and more preferably from about 4:1 to about 20:1. (As used herein, the "percent of softener active" containing a given R* group is the same as the percentage of that same Rl group is to the total R* groups used to form all of the softener actives.)
  • the highly unsaturated materials are also easier to formulate into concentrated premixes that maintain their low viscosity and are therefore easier to process, e.g., pump, mixing, etc.
  • These highly unsaturated materials total level of active containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups (TPU) being typically from about 3% to about 30%), with only the low amount of solvent that normally is associated with such materials, i.e., from about 5% to about 20%), preferably from about 8%o to about 25%o, more preferably from about 10% to about 20%, weight of the total softener/solvent mixture, are also easier to formulate into concentrated, stable compositions of the present invention, even at ambient temperatures.
  • TPU total level of active containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups
  • substituents R and R can optionally be substituted with various groups such as alkoxyl or hydroxyl groups, and can be straight, or branched so long as the R groups maintain their basically hydrophobic character.
  • a preferred long chain DEQA is the DEQA prepared from sources containing high levels of polyunsaturation, i.e., N,N-di(acyl-oxyethyl)-N,N- methylhydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate, where the acyl is derived from fatty acids containing sufficient polyunsaturation, e.g., mixtures of tallow fatty acids and soybean fatty acids.
  • Another preferred long chain DEQA is the dioleyl (nominally) DEQA, i.e., DEQA in which N,N-di(oleoyl-oxyethyl)-N,N- methylhydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate is the major ingredient.
  • Preferred sources of fatty acids for such DEQAs are vegetable oils, and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, with high contents of unsaturated, e.g., oleoyl groups.
  • the DEQA is in the diester form, and from 0% to about 30% can be DEQA monoester, e.g., there are three Rl group.
  • the percentage of monoester should be as low as possible, preferably no more than about 15%.
  • anionic detergent surfactant or detergent builder carry-over conditions some monoester can be preferred.
  • the overall ratios of diester quat to monoester quat are from about 2.5:1 to about 1 :1, preferably from about 2.3:1 to about 1.3:1. Under high detergent carry-over conditions, the di/monoester ratio is preferably about 1.3:1.
  • the level of monoester present can be controlled in manufacturing the DEQA by varying the ratio of fatty acid, or fatty acyl source, to triethanolamine.
  • the overall ratios of diester quat to triester quat are from about 10:1 to about 1.5:1, preferably from about 5:1 to about 2.8:1.
  • each R s a hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl, group, preferably, alkyl, monounsaturated alkenyl, and polyunsaturated alkenyl groups, with the softener active containing polyunsaturated alkenyl groups being preferably at least about 3%>, more preferably at least about 5%, more preferably at least about 10%>, and even more preferably at least about 15%), by weight of the total softener active present; the actives preferably containing mixtures of R ⁇ groups, especially within the individual molecules.
  • RlC(O)O is derived from unsaturated fatty acid, e.g., oleic acid, and/or fatty acids and/or partially hydrogenated fatty acids, derived from animal fats, vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as: canola oil; safflower oil; peanut oil; sunflower oil; soybean oil; com oil; tall oil; rice bran oil; etc.]
  • RlC(O)O is derived from unsaturated fatty acid, e.g., oleic acid, and/or fatty acids and/or partially hydrogenated fatty acids, derived from animal fats, vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as: canola oil; safflower oil; peanut oil; sunflower oil; soybean oil; com oil; tall oil; rice bran oil; etc.
  • DEQA similar biodegradable fabric softener actives containing ester linkages
  • These fabric softener actives have the characteristic that they can be processed by conventional mixing means at ambient temperature, at
  • the DEQAs herein can also contain a low level of fatty acid, which can be from unreacted starting material used to form the DEQA and/or as a by-product of any partial degradation (hydrolysis) of the softener active in the finished composition. It is preferred that the level of free fatty acid be low, preferably below about 15%), more preferably below about 10%>, and even more preferably below about 5%>, by weight of the softener active.
  • the fabric softener actives of the present invention are preferably prepared by a process wherein a chelant, preferably a diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTP A) and/or an ethylene diamine-N,N -disuccinate (EDDS) is added to the process. Also, preferably, antioxidants are added to the fatty acid immediately after distillation and/or fractionation and/or during the esterification reactions and/or post-added to the finished softener active. The resulting softener active has reduced discoloration and malodor associated therewith.
  • a chelant preferably a diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTP A) and/or an ethylene diamine-N,N -disuccinate (EDDS) is added to the process.
  • antioxidants are added to the fatty acid immediately after distillation and/or fractionation and/or during the esterification reactions and/or post-added to the finished softener active.
  • the resulting softener active has reduced discoloration and malodor associated
  • the typical process comprises the steps of: a) providing a source of triglyceride and reacting the source of triglyceride to form a mixture of fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters; b) using the mixture formed from step (a) to react under esterification conditions with triethanolamine; c) quatemizing, if desired, the mixture of fatty acid esters formed from step (b) by reacting the mixture under quatemizing conditions with a quatemizing agent of the formula RX wherein R is defined as in step (b) and X is a softener compatible anion, preferably selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, and nitrate thereby forming a quaternary fabric softener active, the methyl sulfate and ethyl sulfate being highly preferred, wherein at least step (c) is carried out in the presence of a chelating agent
  • the step of reacting the source of triglyceride can further include reacting in the presence of the chelating agent step (b) can further include the presence of the chelating agent.
  • the total amount of added chelating agent is preferably within the range of from about 10 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, more preferably within the range of from about 100 ppm to about 2500 ppm by weight of the formed softener active.
  • the source of triglyceride is preferably selected from the group consisting of animal fats, vegetable oils, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, and mixtures thereof.
  • the vegetable oil or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil is selected from the group consisting of canola oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil, safflower oil, partially hydrogenated safflower oil, peanut oil, partially hydrogenated peanut oil, sunflower oil, partially hydrogenated sunflower oil, com oil, partially hydrogenated com oil, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, tall oil, partially hydrogenated tall oil, rice bran oil, partially hydrogenated rice bran oil, and mixtures thereof.
  • the source of triglyceride is canola oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil, and mixtures thereof.
  • the process can also include the step of adding from about 0.01%> to about 2% by weight of the composition of an antioxidant compound to any or all of steps (a), (b) or (c).
  • the present invention also includes a process for the preparation of a fabric softening premix composition.
  • This method comprises preparing a fabric softening active as described above and mixing the fabric softener active, optionally containing a low molecular weight solvent, with a principal solvent having a ClogP, as described hereinafter, of from about 0J5 to about 0.64 thereby forming a fabric softener premix.
  • the premix can comprise from about 55%> to about 85% by weight of fabric softening active and from about 10%> to about 30% by weight of a principal solvent.
  • the process can further comprise the step of adding a low molecular weight water soluble solvent selected from the group consisting of: ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, propylene carbonate, hexylene glycol and mixtures thereof to the premix.
  • a low molecular weight water soluble solvent selected from the group consisting of: ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, propylene carbonate, hexylene glycol and mixtures thereof to the premix.
  • the process can also include the step of adding from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of the composition of an antioxidant compound to any or all of steps (a), (b) or (c).
  • the products of the above process are new compositions. II. PRINCIPAL SOLVENT SYSTEM
  • compositions of the present invention comprise less than about 40%, preferably from about 10%> to about 35%, more preferably from about 12% to about 25%), and even more preferably from about 14%> to about 20%), of the principal solvent, by weight of the composition.
  • Said principal solvent comprises 2-ethyl-l,3- hexanediol and 1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethanol in ratios of from about 10:1 to about 1 :2, preferably from about 8: 1 to about 1:1, more preferably from about 6: 1 to about 2:1.
  • This mixture of solvents is very effective and has a surprisingly good odor.
  • the overall characteristics of the compositions containing this mixture are good, and the characteristics can be modified by changing the ratio of the two solvents.
  • the principal solvent can be used to either make a composition translucent or clear, or can be used to reduce the temperature at which the composition is translucent or clear.
  • the invention also comprises the method of adding the principal solvent, at the previously indicated levels, to a composition that is not translucent, or clear, or which has a temperature where instability occurs that is too high, to make the composition translucent or clear, or, when the composition is clear, e.g., at ambient temperature, or down to a specific temperature, to reduce the temperature at which instability occurs, preferably by at least about 5°C, more preferably by at least about 10°C.
  • the principal advantage of the principal solvent is that it provides the maximum advantage for a given weight of solvent. It is understood that "solvent”, as used herein, refers to the effect of the principal solvent and not to its physical form at a given temperature, since some of the principal solvents are solids at ambient temperature.
  • solvents that can be present are selected to minimize solvent odor impact in the composition and to provide a low viscosity to the final composition.
  • isopropyl alcohol is not very effective and has a strong odor.
  • n-Propyl alcohol is more effective, but also has a distinct odor.
  • butyl alcohols also have odors but can be used for effective clarity/stability, especially when used as part of a principal solvent system to minimize their odor.
  • the alcohols are also selected for optimum low temperature stability, that is they are able to form compositions that are liquid with acceptable low viscosities and translucent, preferably clear, down to about 40°F (about 4.4°C) and are able to recover after storage down to about 20°F (about 6.7°C).
  • Suitable solvents can be selected based upon their octanol/water partition coefficient (P).
  • Octanol/water partition coefficient of a solvent is the ratio between its equilibrium concentration in octanol and in water.
  • the partition coefficients of the solvent ingredients of this invention are conveniently given in the form of their logarithm to the base 10, logP.
  • the logP of many ingredients has been reported; for example, the Pomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc. (Daylight CIS), Irvine, California, contains many, along with citations to the original literature. However, the logP values are most conveniently calculated by the "CLOGP” program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also lists experimental logP values when they are available in the Pomona92 database.
  • the "calculated logP” (ClogP) is determined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (cf, A. Leo, in Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J. B. Taylor and C. A. Ramsden, Eds., p.
  • the fragment approach is based on the chemical stmcture of each ingredient, and takes into account the numbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding.
  • the ClogP values which are the most reliable and widely used estimates for this physicochemical property, are preferably used instead of the experimental logP values in the selection of the principal solvent ingredients which are useful in the present invention.
  • Other methods that can be used to compute ClogP include, e.g., Crippen's fragmentation method as disclosed in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 27, 21 (1987); Viswanadhan's fragmentation method as disclose in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 29, 163 (1989); and Broto's method as disclosed in Eur. J. Med. Chem. - Chim. Theor., 19, 71 (1984).
  • solvents that are suitable herein are selected from those having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 0.64, preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.62, and more preferably from about 0.40 to about 0.60, said solvent preferably being asymmetric, and preferably having a melting, or solidification, point that allows it to be liquid at, or near room temperature.
  • Such solvents could also be used as principal solvents, but, for the purposes herein, they are not present at a level that would be able to meet the desired criteria.
  • Solvents that have a low molecular weight and are biodegradable are also desirable for some purposes.
  • the most preferred solvents can be identified by the appearance of the dilute treatment compositions used to treat fabrics. These dilute compositions have dispersions of fabric softener that exhibit a more uni-lamellar appearance than conventional fabric softener compositions. The closer to uni-lamellar the appearance, the better the compositions seem to perform. These compositions provide surprisingly good fabric softening as compared to similar compositions prepared in the conventional way with the same fabric softener active. The compositions also inherently provide improved perfume deposition as compared to conventional fabric softening compositions, especially when the perfume is added to the compositions at, or near, room temperature.
  • Operable solvents have been disclosed, listed under various listings, e.g., aliphatic and or alicyclic diols with a given number of carbon atoms; monols; derivatives of glycerine; alkoxylates of diols; and mixtures of all of the above can be found in PCT application WO 97/03169 published on 30 January 1997, said application being incorporated herein by reference, the most pertinent disclosure appearing at pages 24-82 and 94-108 (methods of preparation) of the said WO 97/03169 specification.
  • the disclosure contains reference numbers to the Chemical Abstracts Service Registry numbers (CAS No.) for those compounds that have such a number and the other compounds have a method described, that can be used to prepare the compounds.
  • Some inoperable solvents are also listed in the disclosure. The inoperable solvents, however, can be used in mixtures with operable solvents. Operable solvents can be used to make concentrated fabric softener compositions that meet the stability/clarity requirements set forth herein.
  • diol solvents that have the same chemical formula can exist as many stereoisomers and/or optical isomers.
  • Each isomer is normally assigned with a different CAS No.
  • different isomers of 4-methyl-2,3-hexanediol are assigned to at least the following CAS Nos: 146452-51-9; 146452-50-8; 146452-49- 5; 146452-48-4; 123807-34-1; 123807-33-0; 123807-32-9; and 123807-31-8.
  • each chemical formula is listed with only one CAS No. This disclosure is only for exemplification and is sufficient to allow the practice of the invention. The disclosure is not limiting.
  • a secondary solvent or a mixture of secondary solvents, which by themselves are not operable as a principal solvent of this invention, as long as an effective amount of the operable principal solvents of this invention is still present in the liquid concentrated, clear fabric softener composition.
  • An effective amount of the principal solvents of this invention is at least greater than about 5%>, preferably more than about 7%, more preferably more than about 10% of the composition, when at least about 15%> of the softener active is also present.
  • the substitute solvent(s) can be used at any level, but preferably about equal to, or less than, the amount of operable principal solvent, as defined hereinbefore, that is present in the fabric softener composition.
  • HPHP hydroxy pivalyl hydroxy pivalate
  • HO-CH2-C(CH3)2-CH2-O-CO-C(CH3)2-CH2-OH are inoperable solvents according to this invention, mixtures of these solvents with the principal solvent, e.g., with the preferred 1 ,2-hexanediol principal solvent, wherein the 1 ,2-hexanediol principal solvent is present at effective levels, also provide liquid concentrated, clear fabric softener compositions.
  • alkyl lactate esters e.g., ethyl lactate and isopropyl lactate have ClogP values within the effective range of from about 0J5 to about 0.64, and can form liquid concentrated, clear fabric softener compositions with the fabric softener actives of this invention, but need to be used at a slightly higher level than the more effective diol solvents like 1,2-hexanediol. They can also be used to substitute for part of other principal solvents of this invention to form liquid concentrated, clear fabric softener compositions.
  • compositions can also contain additional fabric softener active, but only in minor amounts, typically from 0%> to about 35%>, preferably from about 1% to about 20%), more preferably from about 2%> to about 10%, said additional fabric softener active being selected from:
  • each Rl is a Cg-C22 preferably C14-C20 but no more than one being less than about C12 an ⁇ ⁇ then the other is at least about 16, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, preferably C10-C20 alkyl or alkenyl (unsaturated alkyl, including polyunsaturated alkyl, also referred to sometimes as "alkylene"), most preferably C ⁇ -Cjg alkyl or alkenyl, and where the Iodine Value (hereinafter referred to as "IV") of a fatty acid containing this R 1 group is from about 70 to about 140, more preferably from about 80 to about 130; and most preferably from about 90 to about 115 (as used herein, the term "Iodine Value” means the Iodine Value of a "parent" fatty acid, or "corresponding" fatty acid, which is used to define a level of unsatur
  • each R, R , and A" have the definitions given above; each R 2 is a Cj_g alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group; and G is an oxygen atom or an -NR- group;
  • Rl, R 2 and G are defined as above;
  • R 1 C(O>— NH— R 2 — NH— R 3 — NH— C(O)— R 1 wherein R , R 2 are defined as above, and each R 3 is a C ⁇ .g alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group;
  • reaction product of substantially unsaturated and/or branched chain higher fatty acid with hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction products containing compounds of the formula:
  • R, R ⁇ , R 2 , and A" are defined as above;
  • R 5 and R" are C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, and R* and A" are defined as herein above;
  • R is hydrogen or a C1-C4 saturated alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, and R and A" are defined as hereinabove;
  • R 5 is a C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, and Rl, R 2 , and A" are as defined above;
  • alkylpyridinium salts having the formula:
  • R ⁇ is an acyclic aliphatic C -C22 hydrocarbon group and A" is an anion
  • alkanamide alkylene pyridinium salts having the formula:
  • Rl, R 2 and A are defined as herein above; and mixtures thereof.
  • Examples of Compound (9) are the monoalkenyltrimethylammonium salts such as monooleyltrimethylammonium chloride, monocanolatrimethylammonium chloride, and soyatrimethylammonium chloride. Monooleyltrimethylammonium chloride and monocanolatrimethylammonium chloride are preferred.
  • Compound (9) are soyatrimethylammonium chloride available from Witco Corporation under the trade name Adogen® 415, emcyltrimethylammonium chloride wherein Rl is a C22 hydrocarbon group derived from a natural source; soyadimethylethylammonium ethylsulfate wherein Rl is a Cjg-Cjg hydrocarbon group, R 5 is a methyl group, R ⁇ is an ethyl group, and A" is an ethylsulfate anion; and methyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oleylammonium chloride wherein R l is a Ci g hydrocarbon group, R 5 is a 2-hydroxyethyl group and R ⁇ is a methyl group.
  • Adogen® 415 emcyltrimethylammonium chloride
  • Rl is a C22 hydrocarbon group derived from a natural source
  • the additional softener actives herein are preferably those that are highly unsaturated versions of the traditional softener actives, i.e., di-long chain alkyl nitrogen derivatives, normally cationic materials, such as dioleyldimethylammonium chloride and imidazolinium compounds as described hereinafter.
  • Examples of more biodegradable fabric softeners can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,408,361, Mannheimer, issued Oct. 29, 1968; 4,709,045, Kubo et al., issued Nov. 24, 1987; 4,233,451, Pracht et al., issued Nov. 11, 1980; 4,127,489, Pracht et al., issued Nov.
  • Examples of Compound (1) are dialkylenedimethylammonium salts such as dicanoladimethylammonium chloride, dicanoladimethylammonium methylsulfate, di(partially hydrogenated soybean, cis/trans ratio of about 4:l)dimethylammonium chloride, dioleyldimethylammonium chloride. Dioleyldimethylammonium chloride and di(canola)dimethylammonium chloride are preferred.
  • An example of commercially available dialkylenedimethylammonium salts usable in the present invention is dioleyldimethylammonium chloride available from Witco Corporation under the trade name Adogen® 472.
  • Compound (2) is 1 -methyl- l-oleylamidoethyl-2- oleylimidazolinium methylsulfate wherein Rl is an acyclic aliphatic C15-C17 hydrocarbon group, R 2 is an ethylene group, G is a NH group, R 5 is a methyl group and A" is a methyl sulfate anion, available commercially from the Witco Corporation under the trade name Varisoft® 3690.
  • Compound (3) is l-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazoline wherein Rl is an acyclic aliphatic C15-C17 hydrocarbon group, R 2 is an ethylene group, and G is a NH group.
  • Compound (4) is reaction products of oleic acids with diethylenetriamine in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction product mixture containing N,N"-dioleoyldiethylenetriamine with the formula:
  • Rl-C(O) is oleoyl group of a commercially available oleic acid derived from a vegetable or animal source, such as Emersol® 223LL or Emersol® 7021, available from Henkel Corporation, and R 2 and R 3 are divalent ethylene groups.
  • Compound (5) is a difatty amidoamine based softener having the formula:
  • R 1 -C(O)-NH-CH 2 CH2-N(CH3)(CH 2 CH2OH)-CH2CH 2 -NH-C(O)-R 1 CH3SO4- wherein Rl-C(O) is oleoyl group, available commercially from the Witco Corporation under the trade name Varisoft® 222LT.
  • Compound (6) is reaction products of oleic acids with N-2- hydroxy ethylethylenediamine in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction product mixture containing a compound of the formula:
  • R is derived from oleic acid, and the compound is available from Witco Company.
  • Compound (11) is 1 -ethyl- l-(2-hydroxy ethyl)-2- isoheptadecylimidazolinium ethylsulfate wherein Rl is a C17 hydrocarbon group, R 2 is an ethylene group, R 5 is an ethyl group, and A" is an ethylsulfate anion.
  • Anion A In the cationic nitrogenous salts herein, the anion A" , which is any softener compatible anion, provides electrical neutrality. Most often, the anion used to provide electrical neutrality in these salts is from a strong acid, especially a halide, such as chloride, bromide, or iodide.
  • anion A can also, but less preferably, carry a double charge in which case A " represents half a group.
  • Low molecular weight water soluble solvents can also be used at levels of of from 0%) to about 12%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%>, more preferably from about 2%> to about 8%.
  • the water soluble solvents cannot provide a clear product at the same low levels of the principal solvents described hereinbefore but can provide clear product when the principal solvent is not sufficient to provide completely clear product. The presence of these water soluble solvents is therefore highly desirable.
  • Such solvents include: ethanol; isopropanol; 1,2-propanediol; 1,3- propanediol; propylene carbonate; etc. but do not include any of the principal solvents (B). These water soluble solvents have a greater affinity for water in the presence of hydrophobic materials like the softener active than the principal solvents.
  • compositions herein can also optionally contain from about 0.005%) to 5%> by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners which also provide a dye transfer inhibition action. If used, the compositions herein will preferably comprise from about 0.001%) to 1% by weight of such optical brighteners.
  • hydrophilic optical brighteners useful in the present invention are those having the structural formula:
  • R1 is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxy ethyl
  • R2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, mo ⁇ hilino, chloro and amino
  • M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.
  • R ⁇ is anilino
  • R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium
  • the brightener is 4,4',-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis- hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid and disodium salt.
  • This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX® by Ciba-Geigy Co ⁇ oration. Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the rinse added compositions herein.
  • R ⁇ is anilino
  • R2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2- methylamino
  • M is a cation such as sodium
  • the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino- 6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt.
  • This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX® by Ciba-Geigy Co ⁇ oration.
  • R ⁇ is anilino
  • R2 is mo ⁇ hilino
  • M is a cation such as sodium
  • the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-mo ⁇ hilino-s-triazine-2- yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid, sodium salt.
  • This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX® by Ciba Geigy Co ⁇ oration.
  • compositions containing both saturated and unsaturated diester quaternary ammonium compounds can be prepared that are stable without the addition of concentration aids.
  • the compositions of the present invention may require organic and/or inorganic concentration aids to go to even higher concentrations and/or to meet higher stability standards depending on the other ingredients.
  • concentration aids which typically can be viscosity modifiers may be needed, or preferred, for ensuring stability under extreme conditions when particular softener active levels are used.
  • the surfactant concentration aids are typically selected from the group consisting of (1) single long chain alkyl cationic surfactants such as those previously disclosed as optional fabric softeners; (2) nonionic surfactants; (3) amine oxides; (4) fatty acids; and (5) mixtures thereof.
  • the total level is from about 2%> to about 25%), preferably from about 3% to about 17%>, more preferably from about 4%> to about 15%), and even more preferably from 5% to about 13%) by weight of the composition.
  • These materials can either be added as part of the active softener raw material, (I), e.g., the mono-long chain alkyl cationic surfactant and/or the fatty acid which are reactants used to form the biodegradable fabric softener active as discussed hereinbefore, or added as a separate component.
  • the total level of dispersibility aid includes any amount that may be present as part of component (I).
  • the mono-long chain alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound When the mono-long chain alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound is present, it is typically present at a level of from about 2% to about 25%), preferably from about 3% to about 17%, more preferably from about 4%> to about 15%>, and even more preferably from 5%> to about 13%) by weight of the composition, the total mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compound being at least at an effective level.
  • Such mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present invention are, preferably, quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula:
  • R4 is Cg-C22 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably Ci Q-C ⁇ alkyl or alkenyl group; more preferably CIQ-CI4 or Cjg-Cjg alkyl or alkenyl group; each R 5 is a Cj-Cg alkyl or substituted alkyl group (e.g., hydroxy alkyl), preferably C1-C3 alkyl group, e.g., methyl (most preferred), ethyl, propyl, and the like, a benzyl group, hydrogen, a polyethoxylated chain with from about 2 to about 20 oxyethylene units, preferably from about 2.5 to about 13 oxyethylene units, more preferably from about 3 to about 10 oxyethylene units, and mixtures thereof; and A" is as defined hereinbefore for (Formula (I)).
  • Especially preferred dispersibility aids are monolauryl trimethyl ammonium chloride and monotallow trimethyl ammonium chloride available from Witco under the trade name Varisoft® 471 and monooleyl trimethyl ammonium chloride available from Witco under the tradename Varisoft® 417.
  • the R4 group can also be attached to the cationic nitrogen atom through a group containing one, or more, ester, amide, ether, amine, etc., linking groups which can be desirable for increased concentratability of component (I), etc.
  • Such linking groups are preferably within from about one to about three carbon atoms of the nitrogen atom.
  • Mono-alkyl cationic quaternary ammonium compounds also include Cg-C22 alkyl choline esters.
  • the preferred dispersibility aids of this type have the formula:
  • Highly preferred dispersibility aids include C12-C14 coco choline ester and Cjg-Cjg tallow choline ester.
  • Suitable biodegradable single-long-chain alkyl dispersibility aids containing an ester linkage in the long chains are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,738, Hardy and Walley, issued June 20, 1989, said patent being inco ⁇ orated herein by reference.
  • the compositions also contain a small amount, preferably from about 2%> to about 5% by weight of the composition, of organic acid.
  • organic acids are described in European Patent Application No. 404,471, Machin et al., published on Dec. 27, 1990, supra, which is herein inco ⁇ orated by reference.
  • the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof.
  • Ethoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds which can serve as the dispersibility aid include ethylbis(polyethoxy ethanol)alkylammonium ethyl-sulfate with 17 moles of ethylene oxide, available under the trade name Variquat® 66 from Sherex Chemical Company; polyethylene glycol (15) oleammonium chloride, available under the trade name Ethoquad® 0/25 from Akzo; and polyethylene glycol (15) cocomonium chloride, available under the trade name Ethoquad® C/25 from Akzo.
  • Suitable mono-long chain materials correspond to the softener actives disclosed above, where only one R group is present in the molecule.
  • the R group or YR! group is replaced normally by an R group.
  • the dispersibility aid is to increase the dispersibility of the ester softener
  • the dispersibility aids of the present invention also have some softening properties to boost softening performance of the composition. Therefore, preferably the compositions of the present invention are essentially free of non-nitrogenous ethoxylated nonionic dispersibility aids which will decrease the overall softening performance of the compositions.
  • quaternary compounds having only a single long alkyl chain can protect the cationic softener from interacting with anionic surfactants and/or detergent builders that are carried over into the rinse from the wash solution. It is highly desirable to have sufficient single long chain quaternary compound, or cationic polymer to tie up the anionic surfactant. This provides improved wrinkle control.
  • the ratio of fabric softener active to single long chain compound is typically from about 100:1 to about 2:1, preferably from about 50:1 to about 5:1, more preferably from about 13:1 to about 8:1. Under high detergent carry-over conditions, the ratio is preferably from about 5:1 to about 7:1.
  • the single long chain compound is present at a level of about 10 ppm to about 25 ppm in the rinse.
  • Suitable amine oxides include those with one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, more preferably from about 8 to about 14 carbon atoms, and two alkyl moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups with about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.
  • Examples include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis- (2-hydroxyethyl)dodecyl-amine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyl- tetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dimethyl-2- hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide, and coconut fatty alkyl dimethylamine oxide.
  • Stabilizers include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis- (2-hydroxyethyl)dodecyl-amine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyl- tetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dimethyl-2- hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide, and coconut fatty alkyl dimethylamine oxide.
  • Stabilizers include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyl
  • Stabilizers can be present in the compositions of the present invention.
  • the term "stabilizer,” as used herein, includes antioxidants and reductive agents. These agents are present at a level of from 0%> to about 2%>, preferably from about 0.01%> to about 0.2%), more preferably from about 0.035% to about 0J%> for antioxidants, and, preferably, from about 0.01% to about 0.2%> for reductive agents. These assure good odor stability under long term storage conditions. Antioxidants and reductive agent stabilizers are especially critical for unscented or low scent products (no or low perfume).
  • antioxidants examples include a mixture of ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate, propyl gallate, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade names Tenox® PG and Tenox® S-l; a mixture of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propyl gallate, and citric acid, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., under the trade name Tenox®-6; butylated hydroxytoluene, available from UOP Process Division under the trade name Sustane® BHT; tertiary butylhydroquinone, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® TBHQ; natural tocopherols, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® GT-l/GT-2; and butylated hydroxyanisole, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as BHA; long chain esters (C ⁇ -C--) of gallic acid, e
  • an optional soil release agent can be added.
  • the addition of the soil release agent can occur in combination with the premix, in combination with the acid/water seat, before or after electrolyte addition, or after the final composition is made.
  • the softening composition prepared by the process of the present invention herein can contain from 0% to about 10%, preferably from 0.2%) to about 5%>, of a soil release agent.
  • a soil release agent is a polymer.
  • Polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention include copolymeric blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide, and the like.
  • a preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More specifically, these polymers are comprised of repeating units of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate at a molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate units of from 25:75 to about 35:65, said polyethylene oxide terephthalate containing polyethylene oxide blocks having molecular weights of from about 300 to about 2000. The molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from about 5,000 to about 55,000.
  • Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a crystallizable polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units containing from about 10% to about 15%) by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with from about 10%> to about 50%) by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight of from about 300 to about 6,000, and the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the crystallizable polymeric compound is between 2:1 and 6:1.
  • this polymer include the commercially available materials Zelcon 4780 ® (from Dupont) and Milease T® (from ICI).
  • Highly preferred soil release agents are polymers of the generic formula:
  • each X can be a suitable capping group, with each X typically being selected from the group consisting of H, and alkyl or acyl groups containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, p is selected for water solubility and generally is from about 6 to about 113, preferably from about 20 to about 50.
  • u is critical to formulation in a liquid composition having a relatively high ionic strength. There should be very little material in which u is greater than 10. Furthermore, there should be at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, of material in which u ranges from about 3 to about 5.
  • the Rl 4 moieties are essentially 1 ,4-phenylene moieties.
  • the term "the R i4 moieties are essentially 1 ,4-phenylene moieties” refers to compounds where the R i4 moieties consist entirely of 1 ,4-phenylene moieties, or are partially substituted with other arylene or alkarylene moieties, alkenyl moieties, alkenylene moieties, or mixtures thereof.
  • Arylene and alkarylene moieties which can be partially substituted for 1,4-phenylene include 1,3-phenylene, 1 ,2-phenylene, 1,8- naphthylene, 1 ,4-naphthylene, 2,2-biphenylene, 4,4-biphenylene, and mixtures thereof.
  • Alkylene and alkenylene moieties which can be partially substituted include 1 ,2-propylene, 1,4-butylene, 1,5-pentylene, 1 ,6-hexamethylene, 1 ,7-heptamethylene, 1,8-octamethylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, and mixtures thereof.
  • the degree of partial substitution with moieties other than 1 ,4-phenylene should be such that the soil release properties of the compound are not adversely affected to any great extent.
  • the degree of partial substitution which can be tolerated will depend upon the backbone length of the compound, i.e., longer backbones can have greater partial substitution for 1,4- phenylene moieties.
  • compounds where the R i4 comprise from about 50%> to about 100% 1 ,4-phenylene moieties from 0%> to about 50% moieties other than 1 ,4-phenylene have adequate soil release activity.
  • polyesters made according to the present invention with a 40:60 mole ratio of isophthalic (1,3- phenylene) to terephthalic (1,4-phenylene) acid have adequate soil release activity.
  • the R 4 moieties consist entirely of (i.e., comprise 100%>) 1,4-phenylene moieties, i.e., each R i4 moiety is 1 ,4-phenylene.
  • suitable ethylene or substituted ethylene moieties include ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene, 1 ,2-hexylene, 3-methoxy-l,2- propylene, and mixtures thereof.
  • the R i 5 moieties are essentially ethylene moieties, 1 ,2-propylene moieties, or mixtures thereof. Inclusion of a greater percentage of ethylene moieties tends to improve the soil release activity of compounds. Su ⁇ risingly, inclusion of a greater percentage of 1 ,2-propylene moieties tends to improve the water solubility of compounds.
  • 1 ,2-propylene moieties or a similar branched equivalent is desirable for inco ⁇ oration of any substantial part of the soil release component in the liquid fabric softener compositions.
  • each p is at least about 6, and preferably is at least about 10.
  • the value for each n usually ranges from about 12 to about 113. Typically the value for each p is in the range of from about 12 to about 43.
  • the premix can be combined with an optional scum dispersant, other than the soil release agent, and heated to a temperature at or above the melting point(s) of the components.
  • the preferred scum dispersants herein are formed by highly ethoxylating hydrophobic materials.
  • the hydrophobic material can be a fatty alcohol, fatty acid, fatty amine, fatty acid amide, amine oxide, quaternary ammonium compound, or the hydrophobic moieties used to form soil release polymers.
  • the preferred scum dispersants are highly ethoxylated, e.g., more than about 17, preferably more than about 25, more preferably more than about 40, moles of ethylene oxide per molecule on the average, with the polyethylene oxide portion being from about 76%> to about 97%), preferably from about 81% to about 94%, of the total molecular weight.
  • the level of scum dispersant is sufficient to keep the scum at an acceptable, preferably uimoticeable to the consumer, level under the conditions of use, but not enough to adversely affect softening. For some pu ⁇ oses it is desirable that the scum is nonexistent.
  • the amount of anionic or nonionic detergent, etc., used in the wash cycle of a typical laundering process the efficiency of the rinsing steps prior to the introduction of the compositions herein, and the water hardness, the amount of anionic or nonionic detergent surfactant and detergency builder (especially phosphates and zeolites) entrapped in the fabric (laundry) will vary.
  • the minimum amount of scum dispersant should be used to avoid adversely affecting softening properties.
  • scum dispersion requires at least about 2%>, preferably at least about 4% (at least 6%> and preferably at least 10%> for maximum scum avoidance) based upon the level of softener active.
  • levels of about 10%) (relative to the softener material) or more one risks loss of softening efficacy of the product especially when the fabrics contain high proportions of nonionic surfactant which has been absorbed during the washing operation.
  • Preferred scum dispersants are: Brij 700®; Varonic U-250®; Genapol T- 500®, Genapol T-800®; Plurafac A-79®; and Neodol 25-50®.
  • bactericides used in the compositions of this invention include glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane- 1,3 -diol sold by Inolex Chemicals, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the trade name Bronopol®, and a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one and 2-methyl-4- isothiazoline-3-one sold by Rohm and Haas Company under the trade name Kathon about 1 to about 1,000 ppm by weight of the agent.
  • Bronopol® 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane- 1,3 -diol
  • Kathon a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one and 2-methyl-4- isothiazoline-3-one sold by Rohm and Haas Company under the trade name Kathon about 1 to about 1,000 ppm by weight of the agent.
  • Kathon about 1 to about 1,000 ppm by weight of the agent.
  • the present invention can contain any softener compatible perfume. Suitable perfumes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,500,138, Bacon et al., issued March 19, 1996, said patent being inco ⁇ orated herein by reference.
  • perfume includes fragrant substance or mixture of substances including natural (i.e., obtained by extraction of flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, barks, wood, blossoms or plants), artificial (i.e., a mixture of different nature oils or oil constituents) and synthetic (i.e., synthetically produced) odoriferous substances.
  • natural i.e., obtained by extraction of flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, barks, wood, blossoms or plants
  • artificial i.e., a mixture of different nature oils or oil constituents
  • synthetic i.e., synthetically produced
  • perfumes are complex mixtures of a plurality of organic compounds.
  • perfume ingredients useful in the perfumes of the present invention compositions include, but are not limited to, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde; amyl cinnamic aldehyde; amyl salicylate; hexyl salicylate; te ⁇ ineol; 3,7-dimethyl-c/s-2,6-octadien-l -ol; 2,6-dimethyl-2-octanol; 2,6-dimethyl-7- octen-2-ol; 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol; 3,7-dimethyl-tr ⁇ «-s , -2,6-octadien-l-ol; 3,7- dimethyl-6-octen- 1 -ol; 3 ,7-dimethyl- 1 -octanol; 2-methyl-3-(para-tert- butylphenyl)-propionaldehyde; 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylp
  • fragrance materials include, but are not limited to, orange oil; lemon oil; grapefruit oil; bergamot oil; clove oil; dodecalactone gamma; methyl-2-(2-pentyl-3-oxo-cyclopentyl) acetate; beta-naphthol methylether; methyl-beta-naphthylketone; coumarin; decylaldehyde; benzaldehyde; 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate; alpha,alpha-dimethylphenethyl acetate; methylphenylcarbinyl acetate; Schiffs base of 4-(4-hydroxy-4- methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-l-carboxaldehyde and methyl anthranilate; cyclic ethyleneglycol diester of tridecandioic acid; 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene- 1-nitrile;
  • perfume components are geraniol; geranyl acetate; linalool; linalyl acetate; tetrahydrolinalool; citronellol; citronellyl acetate; dihydromyrcenol; dihydromyrcenyl acetate; tetrahydromyrcenol; te ⁇ inyl acetate; nopol; nopyl acetate; 2-phenylethanol; 2-phenylethyl acetate; benzyl alcohol; benzyl acetate; benzyl salicylate; benzyl benzoate; styrallyl acetate; dimethylbenzylcarbinol; trichloromethylphenylcarbinyl methylphenylcarbinyl acetate; isononyl acetate; vetiveryl acetate; vetiverol; 2-methyl-3-(p-tert- butylpheny l)-propanal
  • the perfumes useful in the present invention compositions are substantially free of halogenated materials and nitromusks.
  • Suitable solvents, diluents or carriers for perfumes ingredients mentioned above are for examples, ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol, monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, etc.
  • the amount of such solvents, diluents or carriers inco ⁇ orated in the perfumes is preferably kept to the minimum needed to provide a homogeneous perfume solution.
  • Perfume can be present at a level of from 0%> to about 15%, preferably from about 0J%> to about 8%), and more preferably from about 0.2%> to about 5%>, by weight of the finished composition.
  • Fabric softener compositions of the present invention provide improved fabric perfume deposition.
  • compositions and processes herein can optionally employ one or more copper and/or nickel chelating agents ("chelators").
  • chelators can be selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof, all as hereinafter defined.
  • the whiteness and/or brightness of fabrics are substantially improved or restored by such chelating agents and the stability of the materials in the compositions are improved.
  • Amino carboxylates useful as chelating agents herein include ethylenedi- aminetetraacetates (EDTA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotri- acetates (NTA), ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, ethylenediamine-N,N'- diglutamates, 2-hyroxypropylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinates, triethylenetetraamine- hexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates (DETPA), and ethanoldiglycines, including their water-soluble salts such as the alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereof and mixtures thereof.
  • EDTA ethylenedi- aminetetraacetates
  • NDA nitrilotri- acetates
  • ethylenediamine tetraproprionates ethylenediamine-N,N'- diglutamates
  • Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at least low levels of total phosphorus are permitted in detergent compositions, and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates), diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N",N"-pentakis(methane phos- phonate) (DETMP) and 1-hydroxyethane-lJ-diphosphonate (HEDP).
  • these amino phosphonates to not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about 6 carbon atoms.
  • the chelating agents are typically used in the present rinse process at levels from about 2 ppm to about 25 ppm, for periods from 1 minute up to several hours' soaking.
  • the preferred EDDS chelator used herein (also known as ethylenediamine- N,N'-disuccinate) is the material described in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, cited hereinabove, and has the formula (shown in free acid form):
  • EDDS can be prepared using maleic anhydride and ethylenediamine.
  • the preferred biodegradable [S,S] isomer of EDDS can be prepared by reacting L-aspartic acid with 1 ,2-dibromoethane.
  • the EDDS has advantages over other chelators in that it is effective for chelating both copper and nickel cations, is available in a biodegradable form, and does not contain phosphorus.
  • the EDDS employed herein as a chelator is typically in its salt form, i.e., wherein one or more of the four acidic hydrogens are replaced by a water- soluble cation M, such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, triethanolammonium, and the like.
  • the EDDS chelator is also typically used in the present rinse process at levels from about 2 ppm to about 25 ppm for periods from 1 minute up to several hours' soaking. At certain pH's the EDDS is preferably used in combination with zinc cations.
  • chelators can be used herein. Indeed, simple polycarboxylates such as citrate, oxydisuccinate, and the like, can also be used, although such chelators are not as effective as the amino carboxylates and phosphonates, on a weight basis. Accordingly, usage levels may be adjusted to take into account differing degrees of chelating effectiveness.
  • the chelators herein will preferably have a stability constant (of the fully ionized chelator) for copper ions of at least about 5, preferably at least about 7. Typically, the chelators will comprise from about 0.5%> to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.75%> to about 5%, by weight of the compositions herein, in addition to those that are stabilizers.
  • Preferred chelators include DETMP, DETPA, NTA, EDDS and mixtures thereof. L. Cationic Polymers
  • Composition herein can contain from about 0.001% to about 10%>, preferably from about 0.01%) to about 5%, more preferably from about 0J%> to about 2%>, of cationic polymer, typically having a molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,000,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 500,000, more preferably from about 1,000 to about 250,000, and even more preferably from about 2,000 to about 100,000 and a charge density of at least about 0.01 meq/gm., preferably from about 0J to about 8 meq/gm., more preferably from about 0.5 to about 7, and even more preferably from about 2 to about 6.
  • said cationic polymer is preferably primarily in the continuous aqueous phase.
  • the cationic polymers of the present invention can be amine salts or quaternary ammonium salts. Preferred are quaternary ammonium salts. They include cationic derivatives of natural polymers such as some polysaccharide, gums, starch and certain cationic synthetic polymers such as polymers and co-polymers of cationic vinyl pyridine or vinyl pyridinium halides. Preferably the polymers are water soluble, for instance to the extent of at least 0.5%> by weight at 20°C. Preferably they have molecular weights of from about 600 to about 1 ,000,000, more preferably from about 600 to about 500,000, even more preferably from about 800 to about 300,000, and especially from about 1000 to 10,000.
  • the cationic polymers should have a charge density of at least about 0.01 meq/gm., preferably from about 0J to about 8 meq/gm., more preferably from about 0.5 to about 7, and even more preferably from about 2 to about 6.
  • Suitable desirable cationic polymers are disclosed in "CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, Fourth Edition, J. M. Nikitakis, et al, Editors, published by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, 1991, inco ⁇ orated herein by reference. The list includes the following:
  • guar and locust bean gums which are galactomannam gums are available commercially, and are preferred.
  • guar gums are marketed under Trade Names CSAA M/200, CSA 200/50 by Meyhall and Stein- Hall, and hydroxyalkylated guar gums are available from the same suppliers.
  • Other polysaccharide gums commercially available include: Xanthan Gum; Ghatti Gum; Tamarind Gum; Gum Arabic; and Agar.
  • Cationic guar gums and methods for making them are disclosed in British Pat. No. 1,136,842 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,307. Preferably they have a D.S. of from 0.1 to about 0.5.
  • An effective cationic guar gum is Jaguar C-13S (Trade Name—Meyhall).
  • Cationic guar gums are a highly preferred group of cationic polymers in compositions according to the invention and act both as scavengers for residual anionic surfactant and also add to the softening effect of cationic textile softeners even when used in baths containing little or no residual anionic surfactant.
  • the other polysaccharide- based gums can be quatemized similarly and act substantially in the same way with varying degrees of effectiveness.
  • Suitable starches and derivatives are the natural starches such as those obtained from maize, wheat, barley etc., and from roots such as potato, tapioca etc., and dextrins, particularly the pyrodextrins such as British gum and white dextrin.
  • Some very effective individual cationic polymers are the following: Poly vinyl pyridine, molecular weight about 40,000, with about 60%> of the available pyridine nitrogens quatemized.; Co-polymer of 70/30 molar proportions of vinyl pyridine/styrene, molecular weight about 43,000, with about 45% of the available pyridine nitrogens quatemized as above; Co-polymers of 60/40 molar proportions of vinyl pyridine/acrylamide, with about 35% of the available pyridine nitrogens quatemized as above. Co-polymers of 77/23 and 57/43 molar proportions of vinyl pyridine/methyl methacrylate, molecular weight about 43,000, with about 97% of the available pyridine nitrogens quatemized as above.
  • cationic polymers are effective in the compositions at very low concentrations for instance from 0.001% by weight to 0.2%> especially from about 0.02%) to 0.1%. In some instances the effectiveness seems to fall off, when the content exceeds some optimum level, such as for polyvinyl pyridine and its styrene co- polymer about 0.05%).
  • Some other effective cationic polymers are: Co-polymer of vinyl pyridine and N-vinyl pyrrolidone (63/37) with about 40%) of the available pyridine nitrogens quatemized.; Co-polymer of vinyl pyridine and acrylonitrile (60/40), quatemized as above.; Co-polymer of N,N-dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate and styrene (55/45) quatemized as above at about 75%) of the available amino nitrogens. Eudragit E (Trade Name of Rohm GmbH) quatemized as above at about 75%> of the available amino nitrogens.
  • Eudragit E is believed to be co-polymer of N,N-dialkyl amino alkyl methacrylate and a neutral acrylic acid ester, and to have molecular weight about 100,000 to 1,000,000.; Co-polymer of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N,N-diethyl amino methyl methacrylate (40/50), quatemized at about 50% of the available amino nitrogens.; These cationic polymers can be prepared in a known manner by quatemising the basic polymers.
  • cationic polymeric salts are quatemized polyethyleneimines. These have at least 10 repeating units, some or all being quatemized. Commercial examples of polymers of this class are also sold under the generic Trade Name Alcostat by Allied Colloids.
  • Each polyamine nitrogen whether primary, secondary or tertiary, is further defined as being a member of one of three general classes; simple substituted, quatemized or oxidized.
  • the polymers are made neutral by water soluble anions such as chlorine (Cl ⁇ ), bromine (Br), iodine (I") or any other negatively charged radical such as sulfate (SO4 2 -) and methosulfate (CH3SO3-).
  • water soluble anions such as chlorine (Cl ⁇ ), bromine (Br), iodine (I") or any other negatively charged radical such as sulfate (SO4 2 -) and methosulfate (CH3SO3-).
  • modified polyamine cationic polymers of the present invention comprising PEI's comprising a PEI backbone wherein all substitutable nitrogens are modified by replacement of hydrogen with a polyoxyalkyleneoxy unit, -(CH 2 CH2 ⁇ ) 7 H, has the formula
  • Another suitable polyamine cationic polymer comprises a PEI backbone, as above, wherein all substitutable primary amine nitrogens are modified by replacement of hydrogen with a polyoxyalkyleneoxy unit, -(CH2CH2 ⁇ )7H, the molecule is then modified by subsequent oxidation of all oxidizable primary and secondary nitrogens to N-oxides.
  • Yet another related polyamine cationic polymer comprises a PEI backbone wherein all backbone hydrogen atoms are substituted and some backbone amine units are quatemized. The substituents are polyoxyalkyleneoxy units, - (CH2CH2 ⁇ )7H, or methyl groups. Yet still another related polyamine cationic polymer comprises a PEI backbone wherein the backbone nitrogens are modified by substitution (i.e. by -(CH2CH2O)7H or methyl), quatemized, oxidized to N-oxides or combinations thereof.
  • mixtures of any of the above described cationic polymers can be employed, and the selection of individual polymers or of particular mixtures can be used to control the physical properties of the compositions such as their viscosity and the stability of the aqueous dispersions.
  • the cationic polymers herein should be, at least to the level disclosed herein, in the continuous aqueous phase. In order to ensure that the polymers are in the continuous aqueous phase, they are preferably added at the very end of the process for making the compositions.
  • the fabric softener actives are normally present in the form of vesicles. After the vesicles have formed, and while the temperature is less than about 85°F, the polymers are added.
  • the silicone herein can be either a polydimethyl siloxane (polydimethyl silicone or PDMS), or a derivative thereof, e.g., amino silicones, ethoxylated silicones, etc.
  • the PDMS is preferably one with a low molecular weight, e.g., one having a viscosity of from about 2 to about 5000 cSt, preferably from about 5 to about 500 cSt, more preferably from about 25 to about 200 cSt Silicone emulsions can conveniently be used to prepare the compositions of the present invention.
  • the silicone is one that is, at least initially, not emulsified. I.e., the silicone should be emulsified in the composition itself.
  • the silicone is preferably added to the "water seat", which comprises the water and, optionally, any other ingredients that normally stay in the aqueous phase.
  • Low molecular weight PDMS is preferred for use in the fabric softener compositions of this invention.
  • the low molecular weight PDMS is easier to formulate without preemulsification.
  • Silicone derivatives such as amino-functional silicones, quatemized silicones, and silicone derivatives containing Si-OH, Si-H, and/or Si-Cl bonds, can be used. However, these silicone derivatives are normally more substantive to fabrics and can build up on fabrics after repeated treatments to actually cause a reduction in fabric absorbency.
  • the fabric softener composition When added to water, the fabric softener composition deposits the biodegradable cationic fabric softening active on the fabric surface to provide fabric softening effects.
  • cotton fabric water absorbency is appreciably reduced when there is more than about 40 ppm, especially when there is more than about 50 ppm, of the biodegradable cationic fabric softening active in the rinse water.
  • the silicone improves the fabric water absorbency, especially for freshly treated fabrics, when used with this level of fabric softener without adversely affecting the fabric softening performance.
  • the mechanism by which this improvement in water absorbency occurs is not understood, since the silicones are inherently hydrophobic. It is very su ⁇ rising that there is any improvement in water absorbency, rather than additional loss of water absorbency.
  • the amount of PDMS needed to provide a noticeable improvement in water absorbency is dependent on the initial rewettability performance, which, in turn, is dependent on the detergent type used in the wash. Effective amounts range from about 2 ppm to about 50 ppm in the rinse water, preferably from about 5 to about 20 ppm.
  • the PDMS to softener active ratio is from about 2:100 to about 50:100, preferably from about 3:100 to about 35:100, more preferably from about 4:100 to about 25:100. As stated hereinbefore, this typically requires from about 0.2% to about 20%), preferably from about 0.5%) to about 10%>, more preferably from about 1%) to about 5%> silicone.
  • the PDMS also improves the ease of ironing in addition to improving the rewettability characteristics of the fabrics.
  • the fabric care composition contains an optional soil release polymer
  • the amount of PDMS deposited on cotton fabrics increases and PDMS improves soil release benefits on polyester fabrics.
  • the PDMS improves the rinsing characteristics of the fabric care compositions by reducing the tendency of the compositions to foam during the rinse. Su ⁇ risingly, there is little, if any, reduction in the softening characteristics of the fabric care compositions as a result of the presence of the relatively large amounts of PDMS.
  • the present invention can include other optional components conventionally used in textile treatment compositions, for example: colorants; preservatives; surfactants; anti-shrinkage agents; fabric crisping agents; spotting agents; germicides; fungicides; anti-oxidants such as butylated hydroxy toluene; anti- corrosion agents; enzymes such as proteases, cellulases, amylases, lipases, etc; and the like.
  • Particularly preferred ingredients include water soluble calcium and/or magnesium compounds, which provide additional stability.
  • the chloride salts are preferred, but acetate, nitrate, etc. salts can be used.
  • the level of said calcium and/or magnesium salts is from 0% to about 2%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 0.5%), more preferably from about 0J%> to about 0.25%.
  • the present invention can also include other compatible ingredients, including those as disclosed in copending applications Serial Nos.: 08/372,068, filed January 12, 1995, Rusche, et al.; 08/372,490, filed January 12, 1995, Shaw, et al.; and 08/277,558, filed July 19, 1994, Hartman, et al., inco ⁇ orated herein by reference.
  • a sample of the reaction mass is drawn and found to have an Iodine Value of about 78 and a cis:trans ratio of about 1.098.
  • the hydrogen pressure is about 9.8 psig.
  • the hydrogen feed is discontinued and the reactor contents cooled with stirring.
  • the final reaction product has an Iodine Value of about 74.5 and a cis:trans ratio of about 1.35.
  • the product that forms in the reactor is removed and filtered. It has a cloud point of about 22.2°C.
  • the chain length distributions of the acyl substituents on the sample taken at about 127 minutes, and of the final product, are determined to be as shown in Table 1 in which "sat.” means saturated, and “mono” and “di” means monounsaturated and diunsaturated, respectively.
  • the hydrogen pressure is about 6 psig.
  • the hydrogen feed is discontinued and the reactor contents cooled with stirring.
  • the final reaction product has an Iodine Value of about 80.
  • the product that forms in the reactor is removed and filtered. It has a cloud point of about 18.6°C.
  • the hydrogen pressure is about 10 psig.
  • the hydrogen feed is discontinued and the reactor contents cooled with stirring.
  • the final reaction product has an Iodine Value of about 82.4.
  • the product that forms in the reactor is removed and filtered. It has a cloud point of about 17.2°C.
  • a mixture of about 1,200 grams of the hydrogenated oil from Synthesis Example F and about 200 grams of the hydrogenated oil from Synthesis Example A is hydrolyzed three times with about 250°C steam at about 600 psig for about 2.5 hours at a ratio of steam:oil of about 1.2 (by weight). An aqueous solution containing the glycerine which had split off is removed.
  • the resulting mixture of fatty acids is vacuum distilled for a total of about 150 minutes, in which the pot temperature rose gradually from about 200°C to about 238°C and the head temperature rose gradually from about 175°C to about 197°C. Vacuum of about 0.3-0.6 mm is maintained.
  • the fatty acids product of the vacuum distillation has an Iodine Value of about 99J, an amine value (AV) of about 197.6 and a saponification value (SAP) of about 198.6.
  • the quatemized material is optionally diluted with e.g. about 15%> of ethanol which lowers the melting point of the material thereby providing a better handling of the material.
  • the abbreviated component identification have the following meanings:
  • compositions in the Examples below are made by first preparing an oil seat of softener active at ambient temperature.
  • the softener active can be heated, if necessary, to melting, if the softener active is not fluid at room temperature.
  • the softener active is mixed using an IKA RW 25® mixer for about 2 to about 5 minutes at about 150 ⁇ m.
  • an acid/water seat is prepared by mixing the HC1 with deionized (DI) water at ambient temperature. If the softener active and/or the principal solvent(s) are not fluid at room temperature and need to be heated, the acid/water seat should also be heated to a suitable temperature, e.g., about 100°F (about 38°C) and maintaining said temperature with a water bath.
  • the principal solvent(s) (melted at suitable temperatures if their melting points are above room temperature) are added to the softener premix and said premix is mixed for about 5 minutes.
  • the acid/water seat is then added to the softener premix and mixed for about 20 to about 30 minutes or until the composition is clear and homogeneous.
  • the composition is allowed to air cool to ambient temperature.
  • the above compositions 1 and 2 are introduced into containers, specifically bottles, and more specifically clear bottles (although translucent bottles can be used), made from polypropylene (although glass, oriented polyethylene, etc., can be substituted), the bottle having a light blue tint to compensate for any yellow color that is present, or that may develop during storage (although, for short times, and perfectly clear products, clear containers with no tint, or other tints, can be used), and having an ultraviolet light absorber in the bottle to minimize the effects of ultraviolet light on the materials inside, especially the highly unsaturated actives (the absorbers can also be on the surface).
  • the overall effect of the clarity and the container being to demonstrate the clarity of the compositions, thus assuring the consumer of the quality of the product.
  • the clarity and odor of the fabric softener are critical to acceptance, especially when higher levels of the fabric softener are present.

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Abstract

Compositions adoucissantes claires ou translucides pour tissus, qui comprennent un composé adoucissant biodégradable pour tissus et un système solvant principal contenant du 2-éthyl-1,3-hexanediol et du 1,4-cyclohexanediméthanol dans des proportions allant d'environ 10/2 à environ 1/2. Les ingrédients actifs adoucissants sont de préférence préparés en présence d'un agent chélateur et/ou d'un antioxydant.
PCT/US1998/010167 1997-05-19 1998-05-18 Compositions adoucissantes claires ou translucides pour tissus, contenant un melange de solvants WO1998053035A1 (fr)

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US6630437B1 (en) 1998-12-16 2003-10-07 Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa , Division Of Conopco, Inc. Transparent/translucent liquid compositions in clear bottles comprising colorant and fluorescent dye or UV absorber
WO2000036068A1 (fr) * 1998-12-16 2000-06-22 Unilever N.V. Compositions enzymatiques liquides transparentes/translucides contenues dans des bouteilles transparentes et renfermant une teinture fluorescente ou un absorbeur u.v.
WO2000036067A1 (fr) * 1998-12-16 2000-06-22 Unilever N.V. Composition detergente
US6159918A (en) * 1998-12-16 2000-12-12 Unilever Home & Personal Care U.S.A., Division Of Conopco, Inc. Transparent/translucent liquid enzyme compositions in clear bottles comprising UV absorber
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EP1754775A2 (fr) * 1999-08-10 2007-02-21 The Procter and Gamble Company Detergent compositions comprising hydrotropes
US6949496B1 (en) 1999-08-10 2005-09-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Detergent compositions comprising hydrotropes
WO2001010993A1 (fr) * 1999-08-10 2001-02-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Compositions detergentes comportant des hydrotropes
EP1754775A3 (fr) * 1999-08-10 2007-03-28 The Procter and Gamble Company Compositions détergentes comportant des hydrotropes
EP1754774A3 (fr) * 1999-08-10 2007-04-11 The Procter and Gamble Company Compositions détergentes comportant des hydrotropes
EP1785479A1 (fr) * 1999-08-10 2007-05-16 The Procter and Gamble Company Compositions detergentes comportant des hydrotropes
CN100422299C (zh) * 1999-08-10 2008-10-01 宝洁公司 包含水溶助长剂的洗涤剂组合物
WO2006044875A1 (fr) * 2004-10-18 2006-04-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Compositions actives d'adoucissant pour toile concentrees
DE102005051864A1 (de) * 2005-10-25 2007-04-26 Beiersdorf Ag Kosmetische O/W-Emulsion mit 1,2-Hexandiol
DE102005051861A1 (de) * 2005-10-25 2007-04-26 Beiersdorf Ag Kosmetische W/O-Emulsion mit 1,2-Hexandiol
US8084507B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2011-12-27 Beiersdorf Ag Cosmetic O/W emulsion comprising 1,2-hexanediol
EP1876223A1 (fr) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-09 Clariant (Brazil) S.A. Composition concentré de composé quaternaire d'ester
WO2008003454A1 (fr) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-10 Clariant (Brazil) S.A. Composition concentrée d'esters quaternaires

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